As a boy, I can vividly recall a specific occasion when my step-father, a retired Navy man, brought our family to attention while driving across the Fairhaven-New Bedford Bridge. It was not by any sudden action or outburst because he was doing his usual scanning of the variety of sail boats which dotted the harbor. What tuned each and every ear were the words spoken from his mouth. They were honest words having to do with his greatest fantasy. It went something like this ……. “If I could only stop this car, get out, throw my wallet away, dive into the water and swim to one of those boats and sail off, I would never be seen or heard from again.” It sounded like a legitimate dream to all of us as we lightly accepted what was in the recesses of his heart. Fortunately, we were familiar with the dreamer part of Dad and knew he’d never actually do it. His fantasy was psychologically harmless to our family, but it pointed out a dangerous spiritual void that each of us were blinded to. Our earthly father was giving us his best shot at temporal happiness – what I now look back on and call “Sailvation”.

Sailvation is when one sets into motion a personalized plan of captaining his or her own ship; to somehow escape the issues of this world by simply sailing off to ….. somewhere. How many of us have actually done that only to find a new horizon of problems and a renewed longing to find that elusive port of peace?

Here is where we need to meet the real captain of the entire fleet — Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace who made all ports. When we abide in Him, accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He then navigates the course of our lives. All we need to do is take the I out of Sailvation and trust Him and His salvation for us. He created the earth, the waterway, the material for boat building, celestial decoration, and all life that inhabits this planet – especially and including mankind, His Crown of Creation. He also recreated us. How? By dying for us on the Cross, an unprecedented and heroic act which in effect served as our “life saver” from the wages of sin or put another way, eternal separation or death. (Romans 6:23)

From the Sea of Galilee to the shores of Narragansett Bay, the ever-loving and ever-living miraculous Jesus Christ welcomes us to follow Him. If you want Jesus to come into your life and navigate for you, drop the “I” in your Sailvation approach and two major things will occur: 1) You will no longer continually run aground here on earth and 2) You will never sink into the eternal depths of hell. The only way to become ship-shape is simple. Be willing and submit to the greatest Harbor Master and Light House of all — He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life — Jesus Christ. (John 14:6)

To be reunited and sealed, God’s way, please recite this prayer and mean it with all of your heart, and your journey in and with Him will begin now and never end. (Romans 10:9-10)

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Thank you for sending Him to die to redeem me from my sins. I’m sorry for sinning against You. I believe that you are a forgiving God, as Your Word says, and You forgive me of all my sins right now. I believe You raised Jesus from the grave, overcoming sin and death, and allowing me to accept Him and receive eternal life through Him. Jesus, please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior of my life. Please help me to become the person of Your eternal destiny. Amen.

John 3:16-17; John 6:47; 2 Timothy 1:9-10; Acts 4:12; Psalm 62:1; Luke 19:9-10

Editor’s Note: When Jesus is the captain, you can sail towards the real Fair Havens!